Football News

Samba returns to Blackburn training

Blackburn manager Steve Kean is looking forward to welcoming back want away defender Christopher Samba. The burly centre back requested a transfer away from Ewood Park during the January transfer window, but has since been told he will have to stay at the club.

There appeared to be some suggestion that Blackburn would be taking legal action against the defender, but that has since been ruled out after Kean admitted that the player has returned back at the training ground for the first time this week.

"We want to get Chris back on the pitch and make sure he's in the proper physical state," Kean said. "His actions as far as coming in and training - he trained really well on Monday - he's been in, he's been around the place but what happened and what was said in the window he can put behind him.

"I can only take his enthusiasm and application in the sessions and that was excellent on Monday and that's the last session he's had, unfortunately.

"After the session, Chris felt a sensation in his hamstring and was getting a bit of back pain so because of that injury he didn't manage to play in the [reserve] game.

"We've got to make sure that when he's feeling any niggles like this he gets it right and he's in good hands with our medical team. There's another reserve game on Monday and if he can make that and get some minutes under his belt fantastic, if not, we move on."